Quick-changing mute for band instruments



A. PAPPALARDI.

QUICKCHANGING MUTE FOR BAND INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, I921- Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

Patented Nov. 14, 1922.

UNITED STATES ALEXANDER PAPPALARDI, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

QUICK-CHANGING MUTE FOR BAND INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed April 7,

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALEXANDER PAPPA- LARDI, subject of the King of Italy, and resident of Kansas City, county of Jackson, State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Quick- Changing Mutes for Band Instruments, of which the following is a complete specification.

This invention relates to mates for wind band instruments, and has for its object to produce a quick changing mute of such character that the sound of the instrument equipped with the device, may be changed from a, mute to a jazz effect by the movement of a shutter forming a part thereof, without. necessitating the removal of the mute from the horn.

Another object is to produce a device of this character which is light in weight, adapted to fit any instrument having a fia-ring outer end, and of such size that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket if found desi ble.

A still further object is to produce a device of this character of simple, strong, durable, efficient and inexpensive construction; and in order that it may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device with the shutter in open position for producing a jazz effect.

Figure 2 is a section taken through the end of a horn and the device in position with the shutter closed for muting the horn.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the end of a born with the shutter open.

Figure 4 is a section on the line lV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fraglncntal section through one end of the device and shows the removal diaphragm in position.

In the said drawing, where like reference characters identify corresponding parts in all of the figures, 1 represents the end of a horn of any type, and adapted to be secured therein is a cone-shaped mute 2, provided near its small end with a series of supporting lugs 23 adapted to abut the interior wall of the horn and fixedly support the device in position, but at the same time allow for the passage of excess air around the mute. The small end of the mute is open, as illustrated, but the large end is closed by a perforated, closure 4, provided with a flange or lip 5 1921. Serial No. 459,366.

surrounding the opening and forming a shoulder adapted to receive a perforated ring 6 (see Figure A diaphragm 7 of paper, membrane or of any suitable character, is adapted to be secured between flange 5 and ring 6, as shown inv Figure 5 and be free for vibration according to the variations of air pressure produced in the horn.

Secured at a convenient point 011 the exterior of closure 4 is a pivot pin 8 and mounted thereon is a shutter 9, formed with an operating finger 10 preferably at a point opposite the pivot point, and a stop lug 10 projecting from the shutter at a diametrically opposite point from the operating finger. Secured to the inner side of the shutter is a pad 11 of felt or of any suitable character, said pad being adapted to prevent vibration of the diaphragm when in closed position as will hereinafter appear.

Secured to the closure l and below the pivot S is a stop pin 12 against which the stop lug 10 is adapted for abutment when the shutter occupies its closed position as shown in dotted lines Figure 3, and against the side of said shutter when in open position, as shown in the same figure. In order to reliably secure the shutter in closed position a spring latch 13 is mounted, by means of a clamping screw 14, at any convenient point on the closure 4, as illustrated, which will hold the shutter closed by clamping on the finger 10.

It is believed that the operation of the de vice will be clearly understood, as when it is desired to produce a 'azz effect, the operator will. open the utter and the diaphragm will produce the desired noise due to the variations in air pressure produced. in the horn. Should it be necessary to secure a mute effect, it can be instantly carried out by closing the shutter and by means of its pad, it will prevent any vibration of the diaphragm and will, therefore, produce the desired. mute as is now customary in devices of this character.

It will be readily understood by reference to the drawing, that should the diaphragm be ruptured, the ring 6 may be easily removed from position, and a new diaphragm stretched across the perforation in ring 6 and, if desired secured thereto, then the two parts will be inserted into the shouldered face of closure 4 until the parts abut flange where they will be retained, due to the snugness with which ring 6 fits against the llt) shoulder and the overlapping of such ring by the shutter.

From the above description. it will be apparent that I have produced a device of the character described, Which possesses all of the features pointed out as desirable, and While I have described and claimed the preferred embodiment of the same, I reserve the right to make all change properly falling Within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a. device of the character described, a

member open at one end and adapted to be inserted into a horn, a series of lugs on the outside of the member for retaining the same and spacing it from the Walls of the horn a diaphragm secured at the opposite end 01": the member from said open end, a shutter secured to the member at said end, and means for latching said shutter over said diaphragm.

In Witness whereof I hereunto atlix my signature.

ALEXANDER PAPPALARDI. 

